Sound-modifying apparatus



Feb. 13, 1923.

1. MERSMAN.

scum) MODlFYING APPARATUS.

FILED FEB. 18. 1921.

IN VEN TOR, W

ATTORNEY.

Patented Feb. 13, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH MERSMAN, OF OTTAWA, OHIO.

SOUND-MODIFYING APPARATUS.

Application filed February 18, 1921.

To all whom it may concern Beit known that I, Josnrri MERSMAN, a citizen of the United States, residin in the town of Ottawa, in the county of Futnam and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Sound- Modifying Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a new and improved method of resonating or intensifying re roduced tones. \Vhen tones are reproduce by a vibrating element,- added force may be given to those tones by causing the molecules of air set in motion by the vibrating element to im 'iinge on other bodies which, if they are similar to said vibrating element, will vibrate in harmony with the latter to set additional molecules of air in motion to intensify or amplify the sound originally reproduced. Therefore, my method effects the resonance of reproduced tones, by interposing in the path of the molecules of air set in vibration by the reproducing element, "ibrating mediums of the same nature as the reproducing element. These mediums, then, will be caused to vibrate in perfect harmony with the reproducing element to set in motion additional molecules of air to produce pure tones in greatly increased volume.

y improved means for carrying out this method of adding force to reproduced tones. while applicable to all sound producing instriunents, is particularly adapted for use in phonographs or talking machines. It is well known that, due to inequalities in the running of the grain of wood in the amplitiers of talking machines, pure tones are only produced insome of them. This is due to the fact that the molecules of air set in. motion by the diaphragm in the sound box, when they strike the sides of an amplifier in which the grain of wood is not the same, set up unequal vibrations. My improved means, therefore, for producing pure tones in a talking machine. contemplates the mounting in a resonating tube combined with the reproducer, of secondary diaphragms of the same size and thickness as the diaphragm in the sound box. When. struck by the molecules of air set in motion. by the reproducing diaphragm, and each other, these secondary diaphragms will vibrate in perfect harmony with the reproducing diaphragm in the sound box to set in motion additional molecules of air to Serial No. 446,057.

produce pure tones in greatly increased volume.

My improved resonating means also make the talking machine containing them, impervious to moisture, since the secondary diaphragms in the resonating tube will respond as freely to the impinging molecules of air on damp days as on dry days. Amplifiers made of wood, however, when damp or wet, will not respond with the same freedom to the impinging molecules of air set in motionby the reproducing diaphragm, as when dry.

Other important and incidental objects will be brought out in the following specification and particularly subjoined claims.

In the accompany drawings, Figure l is a top plan, view of my combination resonator and reproducer, partly broken away to show one of the secondary diaphragms. Figure 2 is a side elevational View thereof, also partly broken away to show one of the secondary diaphragms. Figure 3 is a plan view of the first secondary diaphragm. Fig ure 4 is a plan view of the second secondary diaphragm. Figure 5 is a plan view of the third secondary diaphragm. And Figure 6 is a -ross sectional view taken through one o the secondary diaphragms.

Throughout the specification and drawings, similar reference characters denote corresponding parts.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 designates a turntable upon which is mounted a record 2. Resting upon the latter is the stylus 3 of a sound box 4.- that contains a reproducing diaphragm 5. The sound box 4 is connected by a hollow neck piece 6 to a resonating tube 7 pref erably constructed as follows:

Referring to Figures 1 and 2. the resonating tube 7 consists of a hollow cylinder constructed of any suitable material preferably closed at its rear end by a head 8. Mounted progressively in the resonating tube 7 are three secondary diaphragms 9. 10 and 11 respectively, each of which is preferably constructed as follows:

Referring to Figure 6, each secondary diaphragm consists of a disc 12 containln a central hole 13. Resting upon a gas et 13 of soft material that bears against the marginal face portion of the disc 12 is a disc 14 preferably constructed of mica or of a material similar to that of which the set forth in the ,phragm apertures 18, although a greater diaphragino is composed, and approximating it in size and thickness. Bearing against the disc 14: is an annular gasket composed of a soft material, and pressed against said disc by a ring 16. The latter andthe disc 12 are connected by screws 17 to firmly compress the gaskets against the disc 1 1.

The secondary diaphragm 9 (see Figure which is set in the front portion of the resonating tube 7, as shown in Figures 1 and prefe ably has a hole 13 smaller in diameter thanthe hole 13 in the secondary diawhich is set behind the dia- & the resonating tube 7, while the hole 13 in the last named diaphragm is smaller than that in the secondary diaphragm 11 which is mounted in the end portion of the resonating tube 7 Provided in the top portion of the periphery of the resonating tube 7 in front of each of the diaphragms 9, 10 and 11, are three or less number may be provided it desired. (See Figures 1 and 2.) Through these apertures the resonated tones pass outside the tube.

The resonating tube 7 is pivotally secured on a forked standard 19 by means of set screws 20, 20. The standard 19 is in turn supported by a base block 21. The latter is readily moved over the table 1 to an adjustedposition, while the standard 19 may be turned in the hole in the block 21 which receives it, to. permit the stylus 3 to have a free lateral movement. It may be freely raised and loweredby reason of the pivotal support which the standard 19 affords the resonating tube 7 WVhen the diaphragm 5' in the sound box 4; is vibrated by the stylus 3, it will set in phraeni 9 in motion molecules of air that will travel through the neckpiece 6 into the resonating tube 7 to lmpinge against the disc 1% in the diaphragm 9, causing it to vibrate in harmony with the diaphragm 5 and to set in motion additional molecules of air which pass through the small hole 13 in said diaphragm to impinge against the disc 14 in the diaphragm 10. This causes the latter to vibrate in harmony with the first two diaphragms, and to set in motion additional molecules of air which travel through the larger hole in said diaphragm to strike the disc in the diaphragm, 11 in the rear portion of the resonating tube 7, causing it to vibrate in unison with and to set in motion additional molecules or 1 lr. stated in, the beginning, the harmonious vibration of these secondary diaphragms will produce pure increased volume. These tones are emitted through the sound apertures 18, whose numher and size may be greater or less than shown.

Hating described my invention, I claim:

1. The combination with a '7 a resonating tube, and vibrating elements mounted in said tube in the path or'. the molecules oi? air set in motion by the reproducer, said tube having apertures provided in its periphery in proximity to the vibratingelements for the purpose specified.

2. The combination with reproducer, or resonating tube, a diaphragm contained in the reproducer', and. a series of diaphragms mounted in said resonating tube, said diaphragms being approximately similar in size, thickness and texture to the diaphragm in the reproducer to vibrate in harmony with the diaphragm in the reproducer for the purpose specified, I

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 16th dayv of February, 1921.

JOSEPH imasMAN.

li'itness; i a

ilowmzo t Satire.

the other discs tones in greatly reproduceu of 

